Unlocked and beckoning

The gate was opened wide

Yet there we stood

The air, electric

And in angry hues

The painted sky

We lingered, gazing

And then the trees began to toss

Time to head beyond

The frightening gate

Before us loomed

With rocking motions

Prayers were uttered, flung

As lightning flashed

A laboring sky

Gave birth to a squall

No darker fear had we felt

But then it passed us by

All grew quiet

Except a distant thundering

And blundering toward light

We're creeping

I hear the sound

Of blood in my heart

Rushing life red

Singing life to me

Is this only a tired refrain?

An echo of a song?

The sound of a dying heart?

Haggard, wayworn

It struggles on

It's beating life to me

A pity yet I try to help where I can

A tested traveler

It seems to know

This time-worn path

By which we go

Before the gate

I stood with you in doubt

I reached out for your hand

Then, the battle that raged within

You saw me strive with evil

Nearly give in to it

Lowly creature

Bereft of honor

Conquered fear but not alone

Took strength from that blue-eyed

Girl who stood with me

From storm to storm

You ran with me

'til at last we stood there

By that gate

Cruel iron, wide it flung

Opened wide, rusty thing

Wide it swung

A shadow in the mist

Ahead will rise

Beyond the starlight gleams